Cut Down on Food Waste With These Fridge Organization Tips

A well-organized refrigerator isn’t just visually appealing — it also allows you to clearly see what you have and what needs to be used up first. This saves time and minimizes food waste, which helps you save money as well.

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With a little foresight and intention, you can enjoy the benefits of a well-organized fridge.

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How to Store Food by Refrigerator Temperature Zones

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Your refrigerator has different temperature zones. The back and bottom are coldest, while areas near the door are warmest. Knowing this helps you store food properly. Here's how to use each zone:

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• Inside the doors: The warmest spots — ideal for condiments, jams, and other preserved foods.
• Top shelf: Cooler than the door but still relatively warm. Best for leftovers and packaged foods.
• Middle shelf: A moderate temperature zone, perfect for dairy products, eggs, snacks, drinks, cut fruits, and berries. Keep frequently used items here at eye level.
• Bottom shelf: The coldest zone — reserve this for highly perishable items like raw meat and fish.
• Crisper drawers: Designed with vents for airflow and moisture control. Best for fresh fruits and vegetables. Many drawers include icons showing what to store where.

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Use the FIFO Method to Reduce Food Waste

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Grocery stores and professional kitchens stack another habit on top of using the right temperature zones: it’s called the first-in, first-out method, or FIFO method. It’s something that you can implement in your fridge as well.

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In the FIFO method, the oldest items are in the front, and the newer ones go to the back. Suppose you get a new carton of plant-based milk while you still have a half-empty one. Bring the half-empty one to the front so that it does not go bad lingering in a corner. Similarly, stock new vegetables and fruits below the existing ones in the crisper drawer.

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Tips to Keep Your Fridge Organized

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Organizing the fridge is half the battle. The other half is maintaining your system. Here are some tips to keep things running smoothly:

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• Track your inventory: Keep a list of what's in your fridge or freezer that needs to be used. Stick a small whiteboard or notepad on your fridge door. You can also use this to note what you need to buy.
• Shop with intention: A list of what you need (and don't need) makes grocery trips more focused. While shopping, visualize where each item will go in your fridge.
• Label everything: Keep masking tape and a marker handy to label items with names and purchase or expiration dates. This makes it easier to track and rotate your food.
• Track what you waste: No matter how careful you are, some food will go bad. Keep track of what you're throwing away. If lettuce ends up in the compost bin every few weeks, consider buying less or finding a substitute.
• Make clean-out meals: Keep a flexible recipe in mind, like soup or tacos that work well with whatever ingredients need to be used up. These dishes are forgiving and can accommodate a variety of meats, vegetables, and condiments.